The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in Bangkok in 1967 to promote
regional economic growth, political stability, and regional cooperation. Forty-five years later, ASEAN
has grown into an economic community of more than $2 trillion and 600 million people.

Looking forward, member states face a difficult but necessary path to sustained economic growth.
ASEAN must implement prudent economic policies that expand basic manufacturing in some places
and value-added services and industries in others. It should prioritize education and training to
develop the skill sets needed to compete in the global economy. Furthermore, it must strike down
lingering intra-ASEAN trade barriers and do more to curb endemic corruption. Specters of political
unrest in some countries will make these goals all the more challenging to meet; in any case, ASEAN
stands to play an increasingly important role in the global economy.